You could try deleting Finder's preference file (to remove all previously set views) and then do the above once for each disk or partition (i.e. Macintosh HD) and it should apply recursively.
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CraftyThumberSep 13 '12 at 8:29

There doesn't seem to be any default view mode at least on Mountain Lion. The view mode used for folders that don't have a view mode saved in a .DS_Store file is changed when you open a new window or close the last Finder window. It corresponds to the FXPreferredViewStyle key, but the key is not always updated immediately.

The always open in option should be called something like "remember view mode for this folder". If it's checked, the previously used view mode is saved in a .DS_Store file, which overrides FXPreferredViewStyle the next time the folder is opened.

You can make Finder forget the folder-specific view options by running sudo find / -name .DS_Store -delete; killall Finder. It also resets the positions of windows and icons, Spotlight comments, and sorting modes.